Which entity primarily regulates legal marriage?

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The regulation of legal marriage primarily falls under the authority of state governments. This is rooted in the U.S. legal framework, where states have the power to establish their own marriage laws, including the requirements for obtaining a marriage license, the legal age for marriage, and the procedures for marriage dissolution (divorce).

State laws dictate various aspects of marriage, such as the recognition of marriage between individuals of the same sex, common law marriages, and any restrictions related to consanguinity or existing marriages. Since marriage is intimately connected to family law, the states' ability to control these regulations allows for flexibility and variation in how marriage is defined and handled across different jurisdictions.

In contrast, the federal government does not typically involve itself in the regulation of marriage. Federal involvement is mostly limited to recognizing marriages performed under state law, particularly regarding tax status and immigration matters. International laws and private institutions do not have the authority to regulate marriage in the United States; they may influence social norms or specific practices but do not serve as governing bodies for legal marriage itself.

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